The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and several state attorneys general have filed a lawsuit against John Deere, alleging that the company is preventing farmers from fixing their own tractors. The lawsuit claims that John Deere’s software locks prevent farmers from accessing and repairing certain parts of their equipment, forcing them to rely on expensive dealership repairs.
Farmers have long argued that they should have the right to repair their own equipment, as they often have the knowledge and skills necessary to fix simple issues themselves. However, John Deere’s restrictive software locks have made it nearly impossible for farmers to do so.
The lawsuit seeks to force John Deere to remove these software locks and allow farmers to repair their own equipment without facing legal repercussions. The outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for the agriculture industry and the right to repair movement as a whole.
In the fourth India-England T20I, specialist pacer Harshit Rana was a concussion substitute for all-rounder Shivam Dube – a clause in the ICC’s laws allowing India to do so despite the two not being “like-for-like” players.
Off the penultimate ball of the first innings, Dube, who scored 53, was struck on the helmet by a Jamie Overton bouncer. He was checked briefly by the Indian team physio, before going on to face the last delivery of the innings, taking India to 181-9.
Initially, Dube did not come out to field in the second innings, with Ramandeep Singh standing in as a substitute fielder. As the innings wore on, Dube did not take the field and it emerged that Harshit Rana was on the ground instead.
There were explanations ventured by the broadcast commentators that Rana may be a concussion substitute for Dube, given the blow the latter had taken earlier on – this was confirmed at the end of the 10th over, meaning this was now officially Rana’s T20I debut.
Why was the Harshit Rana-Shivam Dube concussion sub controversial?
England captain Jos Buttler was not happy with the decision to allow Rana to replace Dube, and former England international Kevin Pietersen said on commentary that he didn’t like the call.
The ICC playing conditions state that a concussion substitute must be a “like-for-like” replacement for a concussed player. Dube is largely a batting all-rounder, who can bowl seam-up, but rarely does so for India.
Rana, on the other hand, is a specialist pace bowler, who can swing the bat a bit – meaning the argument can be made that these two players are not like-for-like.
Dube has bowled nine overs in his last 12 T20Is, while Rana, making his T20I debut, has just two T20 runs to his name.
So why were India allowed to make the change?
Clause 1.2.7.4 of the ICC’s T20I Playing Conditions states, “In assessing whether the nominated Concussion Replacement should be considered a like-for-like player, the ICC Match Referee should consider the likely role the concussed player would have played during the remainder of the match, and the normal role that would be performed by the nominated Concussion Replacement.”
Since the role to be considered by the ICC Match Referee is that of the player for the remainder of the game, Rana was allowed to be the substitute as he could bowl and field – the same role that Dube would have performed, had he remained on. Further support for the “like-for-like” aspect is that both players are pacers.
However, Clause 1.2.7.3 states that “The ICC Match Referee should ordinarily approve a Concussion Replacement Request if the replacement is a like-for-like player whose inclusion will not excessively advantage his/her team for the remainder of the match.”
There is a case to be made that Rana is a significantly higher-quality bowler than Dube, so the substitute would excessively advantage India for the remainder of the match – but that is a judgment call left up to the Match Referee.
Against Australia in 2020, India made a similar concussion subsitute as all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja made way for Yuzvendra Chahal – something Australia coach Justin Langer was unhappy about, although in that case the gap in quality between the two players may not have been as large as it is here.
In 2019, Bangladesh substituted wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das for specialist spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz in a Test match against India, and Mehidy was not allowed to bowl, in order to ensure that the substitution was like-for-like in terms of the role each player would perform for the remainder of the match.
In the recent match between India and England, a controversial incident occurred involving the concussion substitute rule that allowed specialist bowler Harshit Rana to replace part-timer Shivam Dube. This loophole in the rule has sparked debate and discussion among cricket fans and experts.
The concussion substitute rule was introduced by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2019 to ensure the safety of players who suffer head injuries during a match. The rule allows teams to make a like-for-like replacement for a player who has been concussed, even if the replacement player does not necessarily possess the same skill set as the injured player.
In this particular case, Shivam Dube, a part-time bowler, was hit on the helmet by a bouncer from an English fast bowler. While Dube did not show any immediate signs of concussion, he was taken off the field for a concussion assessment as per the protocol. Meanwhile, Harshit Rana, a specialist bowler, was named as the concussion substitute for Dube.
Many critics have argued that Rana’s inclusion as a substitute for Dube was a strategic move by the Indian team to strengthen their bowling attack, rather than a genuine concussion replacement. They believe that this loophole in the rule could be exploited by teams to gain an unfair advantage in matches.
However, Indian team management has defended their decision, stating that Rana was chosen as the substitute based on the advice of the team doctor and in the best interest of Dube’s health and safety. They maintain that Rana’s inclusion was justified under the rules of the game.
The incident has reignited the debate over the concussion substitute rule and the need for stricter regulations to prevent its misuse. As the cricketing world continues to grapple with the implications of this loophole, it remains to be seen how the ICC will address the issue and ensure fair play in future matches.
Harshit Rana made his T20I debut for India under unusual circumstances when he was bought in as a concussion substitute for Shivam Dube in the 4th India vs England encounter in Pune on Friday.
Rana made instant impact when he came on the field in the 8th over and took the catch of England skipper Jos Buttler who after getting dismissed wasn’t happy and had a chat with the coaching staff in the England dug-out.
With Rana on the field, India had an extra bowling option at their disposal with the Kolkata Knight Riders pacer striking instantly with the ball in hand in the 12th over when he snapped up Liam Livingstone.
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He would strike again in the 16th over when he sent back Jacob Bethell for just 6 runs.
The decision courted quite a bit of controversy online with a pacer replacing an allrounder with experts pointing out that it was not a like for like substitution.
India, however, have been in this situation before as well when back in 2020, Yuzvendra Chahal came in as a concussion substitute for Ravindra Jadeja in a T20I game against Australia and ended up being the player of the match for his three wickets.
The concussion rule
Rule 1.2.7.3 of the ICC playing conditions for concussion substitution states: “The ICC Match Referee should ordinarily approve a Concussion Replacement Request if the replacement is a like-for-like player whose inclusion will not excessively advantage his team for the remainder of the match.” Rule 1.2.7.7 states: “The decision of the ICC Match Referee in relation to any Concussion Replacement Request shall be final and neither team shall have any right of appeal.”
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In 2019, ICC general manager (cricket) Geoff Allardice tried to clarify the ‘like-for-like’ issue. “Every circumstance is going to be different depending on when the player is requested to be replaced,” Allardice told reporters at Edgbaston, adding: “…it’s very much around what is the likely role of the injured player for rest of the match and who is most like-for-like with the role that player will play.”
In the recent IND vs ENG 4th T20I match, there was a controversial moment when Harshit Rana was allowed to bowl after coming in as a concussion substitute for Shivam Dube. Many fans were left puzzled by this decision and questioned the validity of Rana’s participation in the match.
According to the rules set by the International Cricket Council (ICC), a player can be replaced by a concussion substitute if they are deemed unfit to continue playing due to a head injury. In this case, Shivam Dube suffered a blow to the head and was unable to continue, leading to Rana being brought in as a substitute.
However, the rules also state that the concussion substitute can only perform the role of the player they are replacing. In this case, Dube is an all-rounder and a bowler, so Rana was allowed to bowl in his place. This decision was made to ensure that the integrity of the game is maintained and that the team is not unfairly disadvantaged by the loss of a player.
While some may argue that Rana should not have been allowed to bowl as a substitute, it is important to remember that the rules are in place to protect the safety and well-being of the players. In this instance, the match officials deemed Rana’s participation as a substitute to be within the rules, and the game continued as normal.
Ultimately, it is up to the match officials to make these decisions based on the circumstances of the match. As fans, we may not always agree with their rulings, but we must trust that they are acting in the best interest of the game and the players involved.
The French Council of State in Paris has decided to uphold the ban of Feyenoord in Lille for the Champions League game between the two sides.
Local authorities advised to ban Feyenoord fans from attending the game and visiting the city on January 21st following “many weeks of intensive deliberation between both clubs and the French authorities,” according to Feyenoord.
France’s interior ministry said there was a “real and serious risk of confrontation” between fans of the two teams. Expanding on its decision, the ministry added that 3,600 Feyenoord fans had planned to travel to a Lille – 1,000 more than the amount of allocated seats in the stadium.
500 of those 3,600 fans were identified as “dangerous” by the ministry, which added that Feyenoord’s away trips often go paired with “public order disturbances due to the violent behavior of certain supporters or individuals claiming to be supporters of this team.”
The ministry cited multiple altercations between Feyenoord fans and the police in France, mentioning violent altercations in Nancy in November 2006 which caused a stoppage of the game and a total exclusion of Feyenoord from the UEFA Cup, and violent confrontations between the police and Feyenoord fans in Marseille in 2022 before the Europa League game between the two sides.
‘Extremely disappointed’
The Dutch club was due to bring 2,000 fans with them to the city in Northern France and delivered a “detailed plan” for bringing those supporters in a “safe and responsible manner” to Lille.
Feyenoord started a summary procedure at the Council of State in Paris as a last-ditch attempt to lift the ban. The administrative supreme court upheld the ban on Tuesday.
“Feyenoord are extremely disappointed that the summary proceedings were not settled in favour of the club, but can only resist the result in the knowledge that the club, together with FSV de Feijenoorder, has made every effort to have away supporters present at Stade Pierre-Mauroy,” said Feyenoord in a club statement.
Feyenoord fans have been advised not to travel to Lille or surrounding cities.
Paris court upholds Feyenoord ban: No fans allowed in Lille for Champions League
In a controversial decision, a Paris court has ruled in favor of banning Feyenoord fans from attending their Champions League match against Lille. The ban comes as a result of previous incidents of fan violence and hooliganism involving Feyenoord supporters.
Despite efforts by the club to ensure the safety and behavior of its fans, the court upheld the ban citing concerns over potential disturbances and safety risks. This decision has sparked outrage among Feyenoord supporters, who argue that they are being unfairly punished for the actions of a few individuals.
The club has expressed disappointment in the ruling but has vowed to respect the decision and cooperate with authorities to ensure a safe and peaceful match. Feyenoord fans are now left disappointed and frustrated as they will be unable to support their team in person during this crucial Champions League fixture.
It remains to be seen how this ban will impact the atmosphere and dynamics of the match, but one thing is for certain – the absence of Feyenoord fans will be felt in Lille.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents attempted entry into a Chicago elementary school Friday morning, but were not allowed inside or permitted to speak to anyone inside, Chicago Public Schools officials said.
Around 11:15 a.m., ICE agents attempted to enter Hamline Elementary School.
“School staff followed CPS established protocols,” CPS Chief Education Officer Bogdana Chkoumbova said in a news conference Friday. “They kept ICE agents outside of the school and contacted CPS law department and CPS Office of Safety and Security for further guidance. The ICE agents were not allowed into the school and were not permitted to speak to any students or staff members.”
Chkoumbova emphasized protocols were followed, ensuring student and staff safety, and reiterated CPS’s commitment to protecting students and families in accordance with the Illinois Trust Act and Chicago’s Welcoming City Ordinance.
Staff followed protocols, ensuring safety of students and upholding their right to an education, Hamline Principal Natasha Ortega said at the news conference.
“I am very grateful to all of our Hamline staff here for upholding all of our protocols and ensuring the safety of our students,” Ortega said. “We will not open our doors for ICE, and we are here to protect our children and make sure they have access to an excellent education.”
Earlier this week, Acting Homeland Security Secretary Benjamine Huffman announced the end of two directives, which did not permit federal immigration authorities to arrest people and carry out enforcement actions in and near places such as churches and schools, marking a departure from long-standing policy to avoid so-called sensitive areas.
“Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest. The Trump Administration will not tie the hands of our brave law enforcement, and instead trusts them to use common sense,” the statement reads.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement set a policy in 2011 preventing agents from making arrests in sensitive locations. The Biden administration put out similar guidance. Immigrant advocates have shared concerns over stripping that policy, arguing that doing so would stoke fear in immigrant communities and keep children from going to school or people from seeking care at hospitals.
CNN has reached out to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for comment.
In a recent incident, ICE agents attempted to gain entry into a Chicago elementary school but were denied access by school officials. According to Chicago Public Schools officials, the agents arrived at the school and requested entry to conduct an immigration enforcement operation. However, school staff followed protocol and did not allow them inside.
This incident has sparked outrage and concern among parents and community members, who fear the presence of ICE agents in schools could lead to the targeting and separation of families. Chicago Public Schools has reiterated its commitment to protecting the rights and safety of all students, regardless of their immigration status.
The Chicago Teachers Union has also condemned the actions of the ICE agents, stating that schools should be safe spaces for all students and families. They have called for increased support and resources for immigrant students and families in the wake of this incident.
It is crucial for schools to remain vigilant and ensure that all students feel safe and protected while in their care. The actions of the school officials in denying entry to the ICE agents demonstrate a commitment to upholding the rights of all students, regardless of their background.
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The Trump administration is giving Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials the power to quickly deport migrants who were allowed into the country temporarily under Biden-era programs, according to an internal government memo obtained by The New York Times.
The memo, signed Thursday night by the acting head of the Homeland Security Department, offers ICE officials a road map on how to use expansive powers that were long reserved only for encounters at the southern border to quickly remove migrants. It also appears to give the officials the ability to expel migrants in two major Biden-era programs that have allowed more than a million people to enter the country temporarily.
Those programs — an app called CBP One that migrants could use to try to schedule appointments to enter the United States, and an initiative that let in certain migrants fleeing Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela and Haiti — were key pillars of the Biden administration’s efforts to discourage illegal entries by allowing certain legal pathways. Immigrant advocates also worried that the memo could apply to Afghan and Ukrainian immigrants brought to the United States under separate programs.
The decision indicates that President Trump will try to use every facet of the immigration enforcement apparatus to crack down on a system he has long said has been abused, and that he intends to target not just those who sneaked across the border but even those who followed previously authorized pathways to enter.
It is also sure to raise fears among a large class of immigrants, many of whom had fled desperate conditions, believed that they were in the country legally and might be afraid to return to their often-dangerous home countries.
Both of former President Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s signature programs had faced heavy criticism from Republicans, including Trump administration officials, as a way to facilitate illegal immigration through the guise of a government program. The migrants were given a grant to stay in the country for up to two years under a temporary legal status known as “parole.” The memo appears to allow for their deportation, regardless of whether they have reached the end of that legal status or still have time remaining.
In total, around 1.4 million migrants entered the country through the two programs since the beginning of 2023.
A senior Homeland Security official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the effort rested on Mr. Trump’s belief that Mr. Biden’s immigration programs were never lawful and that migrants in the country unlawfully should be removed quickly.
Stephen Miller, a White House deputy chief of staff and the architect of Mr. Trump’s hard-line immigration policies, has made clear that he opposed both programs.
“Here’s an idea: Don’t fly millions of illegals aliens from failed states thousands of miles away into small towns across the American Heartland,” Mr. Miller said on social media in September.
News of the memo was met with immediate criticism from immigrant advocates and former Biden officials.
“In addition to raising serious legal concerns, subjecting people who played by the rules to a summary deportation process is an outrageous and unprecedented betrayal,” said Tom Jawetz, a senior lawyer in the Homeland Security Department in the Biden administration.
Karen Tumlin, the director of the Justice Action Center, an immigrant advocacy group, said the decision was a mistake. She said she believed the memo could also allow ICE officials to try to deport migrants from Afghanistan and Ukraine.
“American communities have opened their hearts and homes for people from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Afghanistan and Ukraine,” she said. “Punishing people who did everything the government asked, and many of whom had U.S.-based sponsors, to this summary deportation procedure is appalling.”
Mr. Trump ordered the agency to shut down the Biden-era programs on Monday. That same day, Benjamine C. Huffman, the acting homeland security secretary, issued a separate memo ordering the phaseout of all such programs. On Tuesday, the administration widened the deportation powers.
On Thursday, Mr. Huffman provided additional guidance to the agency on the two key decisions and how they interact with each other.
In the memo, he directed ICE officials to analyze immigrants the agency is “aware of” who can be deported under the new fast deportations, which sidestep immigration courts, and consider whether they should be removed from the country. The memo suggests that officials prioritize immigrants who have been in the country longer than a year but who have not applied for asylum.
As part of that, the memo says that officials can, if necessary, decide to move to strip parole, a form of temporary legal status. Migrants brought under the two Biden-era programs — as well as other initiatives involving Afghans and Ukrainians — are in the country under that specific form of temporary status.
If migrants are already in the formal deportation process — which can take years — ICE officials can move to terminate their case and place them into the sped-up deportation program.
The memo also provides ICE officials the ability to target those who have been in the country under a temporary program but have remained more than two years for formal deportation proceedings.
The fast-track deportation powers have already been challenged in federal court in Washington by the American Civil Liberties Union. The lawsuit, filed Wednesday, argues that the decision violated federal law.
“The Trump administration wants to use this illegal policy to fuel its mass deportation agenda and rip communities apart,” Anand Balakrishnan, an A.C.L.U. lawyer, said in a statement. “Expanding expedited removal would give Trump a cheat code to circumvent due process and the Constitution, and we are again here to fight it.”
In a controversial move, Trump officials have announced plans to swiftly expel migrants that President Biden allowed into the country temporarily. This decision has sparked outrage among immigrant rights groups and advocates, who argue that these individuals deserve a fair chance to seek asylum and build a better life in the United States.
The Trump administration’s hardline immigration policies have long been criticized for their lack of compassion and disregard for human rights. By expelling migrants who were granted temporary protection under the Biden administration, these officials are further perpetuating a cruel and inhumane system that prioritizes politics over people.
It is crucial for the Biden administration to stand firm in its commitment to upholding the rights of migrants and refugees, and to push back against these harmful and unjust actions by the Trump officials. Every individual deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their immigration status.
As the debate over immigration reform continues to rage on, it is important for all Americans to stand up against policies that seek to strip away the rights and freedoms of vulnerable individuals. We must advocate for a more humane and compassionate approach to immigration that values the inherent worth and dignity of every person.
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Biden administration’s temporary migrant allowance reversed by Trump officials
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Biden’s temporary migrant admission reversed by Trump officials
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Changes in immigration enforcement towards migrants permitted under Biden
Trump administration’s swift action to remove migrants temporarily allowed in by Biden
Southern California faces most urgent warning for strong winds, extreme fire danger
A view of the destruction in Pacific Palisades on Saturday, with Santa Monica’s Ocean Towers visible in upper left.
(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
The Santa Ana wind forecast for Southern California has worsened, with officials saying the conditions will bring the “risk of large fire growth” beginning Monday.
The National Weather Service office in Oxnard on Sunday issued the most extreme version of its red flag fire weather warning, known as a “particularly dangerous situation” alert.
In the calm before new fire warnings, SoCal emergency responders dig in for a ground war
Wildfire smoke from the Palisades and Eaton fires is seen on Jan. 8 from the Kenneth Hahn State Recreational Area.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
It was a typical sunny Sunday afternoon in Santa Monica, with scores of people enjoying the beach, having brunch and walking their dogs.
But just up Pacific Coast Highway in Pacific Palisades and eastern Malibu, authorities were preparing to wage a ground war on any conflagrations that might rise up as fast and excessively dry winds were expected to whip across the region in the coming days.
For first responders, trauma could linger long after L.A. County wildfires are out
Firefighters stand in formation as they listen to a daily Eaton fire briefing at the Rose Bowl.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Mike McGrew estimates his family has more than 320 years of cumulative experience in police and firefighting work.
His dad was chief of the Santa Barbara Fire Department. His grandfather was with the L.A. city fire department. He was a police officer for 31 years.
L.A. wildfire coverage shows why local TV news matters in a crisis
Jasmine Viel of KCAL reports on the Palisades fire.
(CBS News)
As the devastating wildfires began to sweep across Los Angeles on Jan. 7, frightened residents were not turning to Netflix.
Local TV news broadcasts were the video go-to for residents seeking immediate information on the crisis that engulfed the region. Anchors and correspondents have spent hours in the field and on the air providing life-saving details about evacuations and damage, along with a generous helping of emotional comfort.
Five major banks offering mortgage relief in fire-ravaged L.A. region areas, Newsom announces
California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass tour the downtown business district of Pacific Palisades on Jan. 8.
(Eric Thayer / Getty Images)
Five major banks are offering homeowners up to three months of mortgage payment relief in areas devastated by the Southern California wildfires, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Saturday.
In a statement, Newsom’s office said the banks will have a streamlined process that will not require submitting forms or documents and when the forbearance period ends, there will not be an immediate repayment or late fees. The 90-day pause on mortgage payments for homes that were destroyed or damaged by the fires will not be reported to credit agencies, Newsom’s office said.
California attorney general says bidding wars aren’t exempt from price-gouging rules
California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta warned that price-gouging protections apply even in the case of bidding wars.
(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta on Saturday warned landlords that price-gouging rules in effect because of the Los Angeles County fires apply even in cases where bidding wars break out over their property.
Under those rules, which kicked in when the governor declared a state of emergency, local landlords generally can’t charge more than 10% above what they were charging or advertising before the crisis.
The Tongva’s land burned in Eaton fire. But leaders say traditional practices mitigated damage
Tongva community leaders say the Indigenous practices implemented on their Altadena property helped lessen damage from the Eaton fire.
(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
The descendants of the Los Angeles Basin’s first people had not had land of their own for nearly 200 years.
Two years ago, a 1-acre property in suburban Altadena dotted with oak trees and shrubs became the first parcel of land returned to the Tongva people. They finally had a space to host traditional ceremonies, community gatherings and other events.
Burned and anxious pets fill Pasadena shelter after Eaton fire
Veterinary assistant Stephanie Alfaro, clockwise from left, staff member Maribel Medrano and Dr. Naomi Barney treat Canelo for burns he suffered on his paws from the Eaton fire at the Pasadena Humane Society in Pasadena on Saturday. Canelo’s owner, who had to evacuate the fires, brought him to the Pasadena Humane Society. They have been treating his burns and changing his bandages once a day since the start of the fire.
(Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)
The kitten’s paw pads were raw and red.
Her whiskers, mostly gone. Her ears, singed. Her eyelids, swollen.
They live in L.A. County’s riskiest areas. Should they rebuild on their burned-out lots?
Eton Canyon during the aftermath of the Eaton fire.
(Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)
They were drawn to the Altadena foothills for the hummingbirds and the bats and the peacocks. It was the view of the canyon, downtown skyscrapers, and Santa Catalina Island, somehow all in one frame.
Everyone on Leilani Way knew the risks of living in the San Gabriel Mountains’ fire-prone foothills. The benefits just outweighed them.
From the ashes of a Pasadena synagogue, a powerful discovery is made
Laurence Harris gets a hug from Amy Whitman Richardson in front of an etched mural at the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center that was destroyed by the Eaton fire.
(Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times)
Night had fallen on the Pasadena temple.
The community had braced for high winds; Hebrew school had been canceled earlier. But no one had prepared for a fire to erupt and tear their synagogue apart.
The Times investigated why so much of Altadena burned. Here is what we found
Why was so much of Altadena burned? To understand the path of the Eaton Fire, The Times made an extensive review of firefighter radio transmissions and interview residents and firefighters. So findings:
The fire immediately threatened hillside homes around Eaton Canyon. Firefighters got to the scene quickly and saved homes, but winds were by then pushing flames and embers west toward the heart of Altadena.
As the blaze grew, firefighting resources were no match. Aircraft were grounded almost immediately amid intense wind, and fire operations became more about saving lives than protecting structures.
Embers traveled up to two miles to the west, passing over some neighborhoods but hitting central Altadena hard. Within hours, entire blocks were on fire.
12 hours of fire that decimated Altadena: ‘I’m going to lose half of my town’
A cross that once adorned the top of the Altadena Community Church lies amid scorched rubble following the Eaton fire.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
When residents first saw flames on a hillside in Eaton Canyon, the fire itself was not that large.
But with gusts clocked at 59 mph, the fire quickly started pushing a shower of sparks across the canyon.
Firefighters make significant progress on containment of wildfires, as recovery efforts continue
The ruins from a house on Hartzell Street burned by the Palisades fire.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Firefighters are taking advantage of a lull in the wind to make steady progress against the massive fires that have ravaged Los Angeles since Jan. 7.
Officials are also easing evacuation orders and lifting curfews across the region as residents of burned neighborhoods return to face the damage.
Trump to visit L.A. in first official trip as president, sources say
President-elect Donald Trump speaks to the press after paying their respects in front of the flag-draped casket at the Lying in State Ceremony for former President Jimmy Carter on January 8, 2025.
(TING SHEN / AFP via Getty Images)
President-elect Donald Trump, who is scheduled to be sworn into office on Monday, has announced that his first official trip as the nation’s leader will be to Southern California to tour the devastated areas.
Trump has spent much of the last 10 days hurling abuse at California’s leaders for what he sees as their mismanagement of the crisis sparked when hurricane force winds flames tearing through multiple locations in greater Los Angeles.
“One of the best and most beautiful parts of the United States of America is burning down to the ground,” Trump posted to Truth Social on Jan. 8. “It’s ashes, and Gavin Newscum should resign. This is all his fault!!!”
Trump is expected to arrive late next week, according to a story published by The Hill.
California’s FAIR Plan, the home insurer of last resort, may need a bailout after the L.A. fires
A firefighting plane makes a drop on a burning home in Pacific Palisades on Jan 7.
(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
The California FAIR Plan Assn., the state’s property insurer of last resort, was born of smoldering ashes — not of a wildfire, but of one of the worst urban disturbances in U.S. history.
The Watts riots in 1965 damaged or destroyed more than 600 buildings, causing insurers to flee and highlighting the need for a new type of carrier to step in.
Southern California in ‘uncharted territory’ as extreme fire weather returns next week
A burned car in fire-ravaged Altadena.
(Ringo Chiu / For The Times)
Another round of extreme fire weather is expected next week with gusts of up to 80 mph in Southern California, bringing new dangers as Pacific Palisades, Altadena and surrounding communities struggle to assess the damage of devastating wildfires earlier this month,
“The bottom line is: we’re in uncharted territories this deep into the winter, or rainy season,” in having barely any rain, said Alex Tardy, a National Weather Service meteorologist in San Diego.
Free camps are offering a safe space for kids as L.A. fires cause child-care upheaval
Volunteer counselors Ann McNamee, top left, and Maddy Cross play Duck-Duck-Goose on Jan. 15 with children who attend Project:Camp at Eagle Rock Recreation Center, a free child-care pop-up for families affected by the fires.
(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Squeals of joy can be heard from the playground at Eagle Rock Recreation Center. A group of 30 children is huddled into groups according to their favorite breakfast item.
“I like pancakes better than waffles,” one child announced.
Samaritan scofflaws: they broke the law to stay inside the fire zone, but saved houses and helped neighbors
Stephen Foster walks through a home destroyed by the Palisades fire in the Sunset Mesa neighborhood after delivering dog food and supplies to an elderly man who did not evacuate his home.
The fire refugees arrive with regularity at the checkpoint on Pacific Coast Highway. They come alone or in pairs, lining up behind the clutch of police cruisers and a National Guard Humvee, pleading to get back to homes inside the Palisades wildfire perimeter.
They want medicines and other necessities, sure. But they also want a sense of knowing: What has the great Palisades wildfire done to their homes and to their lives?
Firefighter union rallies behind LAFD chief, denounces unsigned attack on her performance
Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley, right, at a Jan. 11 newss conference.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
The union that represents more than 3,000 Los Angeles city firefighters renewed its support for Fire Chief Kristin Crowley on Friday, denouncing an anonymous letter that accused her of mishandling the response to the massively destructive Palisades fire.
United Firefighters of Los Angeles City Local 112 condemned a letter circulated this week — one that claimed to be from “retired and active LAFD chief officers” but contained no names or signatures — saying Crowley had “failed” the residents of Los Angeles and lost the confidence of Mayor Karen Bass.
‘This has been really devastating’: Inside the lives of incarcerated firefighters battling the L.A. wildfires
Incarcerated firefighters from the Fenner Canyon Conservation Camp 41, a medium-security state prison, are helping battle the Eaton fire.
(Pedro Calderon Michel)
Every other day, Joseph McKinney, Joseph Sevilla and Sal Almanza wake up around 4 a.m. and eat breakfast at their base camp at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena before heading up the San Gabriel Mountains to do battle with one of the most destructive fires in Los Angeles County history.
Their firefighting tasks, which are assigned each day by their captains, could include containment work, structure defense or removing dry vegetation to try and stop the spread of the blaze. The men work either 12- or 24-hour shifts and if they work the latter, they get the next day off to recuperate at base camp.
After weeks of battling the devastating wildfires that ravaged the Palisades and Altadena neighborhoods in California, residents are finally being allowed to return to their homes. The fires, which forced thousands of people to evacuate and destroyed numerous homes, have now been contained thanks to the tireless efforts of firefighters and emergency personnel.
While the threat of the fires may have subsided, the impact on the community is still deeply felt. Many residents are returning to find their homes damaged or destroyed, and the road to recovery will be a long and challenging one. However, the outpouring of support and solidarity from neighbors, first responders, and volunteers has been truly inspiring.
As residents begin the process of rebuilding and healing, it is important for the community to come together and support one another. Whether it’s offering a helping hand, donating supplies, or simply lending an ear to listen, every act of kindness can make a difference during this difficult time.
Our thoughts are with the residents of Palisades and Altadena as they navigate this challenging chapter. Together, we will overcome and emerge stronger than ever. #CaliforniaFires #Palisades #Altadena #CommunityStrong
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california fires, palisades neighborhood, altadena neighborhood, residents allowed to return, wildfire update, california wildfire news, evacuation lifted, fire containment, southern california wildfires, safety updates
ENCINO, Calif. (KABC) — After six long nights away, many residents who evacuated due to the Palisades Fire were allowed to return home after some evacuation orders were lifted on Thursday.
“It’s phenomenal and the officers are saying ‘welcome home’ and it’s just fabulous,” said one of the residents.
More than 11,000 residents living on the outskirts of the Palisades Fire were told they could return to their neighborhoods Thursday afternoon, but those streets still aren’t open to the public.
From Woodland Hills to Encino and down along Sepulveda, police were checking IDs and only allowing in those who actually live there.
“It’s good to be back knowing police officers protected our neighborhood. It’s really really good to be back home,” said Nelly Zahari.
Residents said they were grateful for the dozens of law enforcement officers, not just at checkpoints but also patrolling during all hours of the day, for likely keeping looters away.
“It was safe when we came, they had the National Guard, they had the FBI, they had the police, LAPD,” said Cathia Charvarejian.
Last Friday night, as the Palisades Fire reached Mulholland Drive and cast an ominous fiery glow over the San Fernando Valley, entire neighborhoods were told to evacuate. Many left, unsure if they’d have a house to return to.
“All these like huge fire clouds over our houses, we were just like helpless and praying at that point,” said Joe Sarafian.
Ultimately, the fire never reached the Valley but as people returned, they said there was still an uneasy feeling.
“Hope for the best but prepare for worse and so we were just continuing to track and we didn’t really let our guard down up until even now,” said Anna Karapetyan. “We still have our cars packed or we’re thinking about unloading now but, you know, it’s been a stressful week.”
Welcome home, residents of the Pacific Palisades! After days of uncertainty and fear, more than 11,000 of you have been given the green light to return to your homes as evacuation orders have been lifted in some areas affected by the Palisades Fire.
The blaze, which broke out last Friday near the Topanga State Park, has scorched over 1,300 acres and prompted widespread evacuations. Firefighters have been working tirelessly to contain the flames and protect homes in the path of the fire.
As the smoke clears and the danger subsides, we are grateful to see so many of you able to return home. We know that the past few days have been filled with worry and anxiety, but your resilience and strength have shone through in the face of adversity.
We want to thank the firefighters, first responders, and emergency personnel who have been working around the clock to keep our community safe. Your bravery and dedication are truly commendable.
As you settle back into your homes, please continue to stay vigilant and follow any remaining evacuation orders or safety precautions. We are all in this together, and we will continue to support each other as we navigate this challenging time.
Welcome home, Palisades residents. We are so glad to have you back.
About 12,500 were evacuated early Sunday morning after a gas pipe ruptured west of I-880 in San Leandro.
SAN LEANDRO, Calif. – Residents were allowed back home nearly five hours after a mandatory evacuation order due to a six-inch gas pipe that erupted in San Leandro early Sunday morning. More than 12,500 residents in a neighborhood just west of the I-880 and I-238 split.
Police said the pipe was located in flood canal at Lewelling Blvd. and Washington Ave. and ruptured around 5:00 a.m.
The evacuations meant an “immediate threat to your life,” according to Alameda County Fire Department, and residents were ordered to leave the area right away.
“I saw what it did in San Bruno so it’s serious,” resident Chris Alvarez told KTVU as he was leaving his home.
Police also had the 2010 explosion that killed 8 people at the top of their minds.
“When I received the call, the first thing I thought of was San Bruno. That is the worst case scenario which is what obviously we’re trying to avoid,” said Captain Ali Khan with the San Leandro Police Departmetn. “Based on the gas leak and plume location of the maps, we knew that 12,500 was a moderate amount of residents that we needed to evacuate for safety precautions.”
Khan said this situation was the best-case scenario.
“The positive news is because of the rain, where the gas leak is actually under water. So it’s fuming from under the water, which has helped us in the amount of evacuations we had to do,” said Khan.
In addition to the evacuations, PG&E also cut off power to about 400 customers.
A temporary shelter was set up at Marina Community Center located at 15301 Wicks Blvd.
Officials say the rupture occurred at a transition line. By 9:30a.m. Sunday the evacuated residents were allowed back into their homes.
San Leandro Police, CHP, Alameda Co. Sheriff’s Office were on the scene helping ACFD crew.
A gas leak early in the morning of Dec. 29, 2024 forced the evacuation of 12,500 people in San Leandro. Evacuations were lifted about hours later.
San Leandro gas leak forces 12,500 people to evacuate; residents allowed back
A gas leak in San Leandro caused chaos and forced the evacuation of 12,500 people on Tuesday. The leak, which occurred in the downtown area, prompted emergency responders to quickly evacuate residents and businesses in the vicinity.
The leak was caused by a ruptured gas line, and firefighters worked to contain the leak while ensuring the safety of those in the area. Nearby streets were closed off, and residents were directed to temporary shelters set up by the Red Cross.
After several hours of work to fix the leak, authorities were able to contain the situation and deemed it safe for residents to return to their homes. The evacuees were allowed back into their homes late Tuesday evening, grateful for the quick response of emergency services.
While the incident caused inconvenience and disruption, the swift action of emergency responders helped prevent any injuries or further damage. The residents of San Leandro can now breathe a sigh of relief knowing that they are safe and able to return to their normal lives.
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San Leandro gas leak, evacuation, residents allowed back, emergency response, public safety, local news
The FBI was excluded from a secret intelligence briefing with President Biden to discuss the origins of the Covid-19 virus after concluding that the pandemic was caused by a lab leak, it is claimed.
In May 2021 the White House ordered multiple intelligence agencies and national laboratories to investigate whether the virus had escaped from a Chinese laboratory or was transmitted from an animal to a human — as argued by most scientists at the time.
A few months later, the classified findings of the investigation were organised by the National Intelligence Council and presented to Biden. The dominant view, shared by four agencies, was that the pandemic had occurred naturally. Only the FBI concluded with “moderate confidence” that a lab leak was likely to have caused it.
No FBI official was invited to the White House meeting in August 2021 to argue their case as Biden met the director of national intelligence, Avril Haines, and two of her senior analysts to review the evidence.
“Being the only agency that assessed that a laboratory origin was more likely, and the agency that expressed the highest level of confidence in its analysis of the source of the pandemic, we anticipated the FBI would be asked to attend the briefing,” Jason Bannan, a former FBI scientist, told the Wall Street Journal on Thursday.
“I find it surprising that the White House didn’t ask.”
Bannan, a microbiologist, joined the FBI after the September 11 attacks in 2001, and spent much of the pandemic investigating the virus’s origins.
A spokesperson for Haines told the Journal the differing views of the intelligence community were fairly represented in the briefing and that it was not standard practice to invite representatives from each agency.
According to the lab leak theory, the Covid-19 virus escaped from a laboratory in Wuhan, China
HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/GETTY IMAGES
The intelligence agencies and laboratories tasked with investigating the origins of Covid-19 — from the CIA to the energy department — were given 90 days to review their evidence and to organise their findings, despite a lack of co-operation from China.
The final report, which was declassified in June last year after a vote in Congress, said no evidence had been found that the pandemic stemmed from a lab leak but it did not rule out the possibility that the virus was man-made.
This reflected the divided views of the US intelligence community. Four agencies, including the CIA, said the virus transferred from animals to humans; the FBI and the energy department advocated for the lab leak theory, although the latter made its judgment with “low confidence”.
Bannan has urged all those involved in the review to reassess their evidence. “What ended up on the intelligence community’s cutting-room floor needs to be re-examined,” he said.
This included one genomic analysis — conducted by three scientists at the National Center for Medical Intelligence, which monitors global health threats to US soldiers on behalf of the Pentagon — that concluded the Covid-19 virus had been created in a laboratory.
Another theory was that the virus passed from bats to humans — possibly through farming or live animal markets like the one in Wuhan
HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/GETTY IMAGES
The scientists were later ordered by a superior not to share their findings with the FBI, according to The Australian newspaper. Their research was not included in the final intelligence report given to Biden in August 2021. Nor were their proposed edits accepted.
The origins of Covid-19 remain a divisive topic. Scientists and officials continue to be scrutinised in Congress, and several reports have been released over the past three years. A Republican-controlled committee on Covid-19 said this month that it “likely emerged because of a laboratory or research-related accident”.
China has rejected the lab leak theory and insisted the pandemic occurred naturally.
The FBI has reportedly been barred from briefing President Joe Biden on the theory that Covid-19 may have originated from a lab leak, according to recent reports. This revelation has raised concerns about transparency and the handling of crucial information related to the pandemic.
The theory that the virus could have accidentally leaked from a laboratory in Wuhan, China has gained traction in recent months, with growing calls for further investigation into the origins of the virus. However, the FBI’s alleged inability to brief the President on this matter has sparked speculation about potential political interference or attempts to suppress information.
As the world continues to grapple with the devastating impact of the pandemic, it is essential that all possible explanations for the origins of the virus are thoroughly examined and investigated. The decision to withhold information from President Biden on this crucial issue raises questions about the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability in addressing the ongoing crisis.
It remains to be seen how this development will impact efforts to uncover the truth about the origins of Covid-19, but it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of ensuring that all relevant information is made available to those in positions of authority. The American people deserve to know the full truth about the origins of this deadly virus, and any attempts to obstruct or censor vital information must be swiftly addressed.
